PCB Tech - One article to understand the difference between the three PCB puzzle methods

One article to understand the difference between the three PCB puzzle methods

Why do PCB puzzles? For customers, PCB splicing is to facilitate plug-ins; for PCB manufacturers, PCB splicing is to better improve the utilization rate of the board and save production costs. There are generally three ways of PCB puzzle: V-cut (V-CUT), stamp hole and hollow connecting strip. The following editor will explain to you in detail:

PCB Jigsaw Method-V Cut

V-cut, also known as V-CUT, is often used in rule boards. V-cutting is to draw a groove at the junction of two boards. Just put the two boards together and leave a little space between them (usually 0.4mm), but the connection of the boards at this place is relatively thin and easy to break. The edges of the two boards need to be merged together when juggling. V-cuts are generally straight lines, and there will be no complicated traces such as curved arcs. Try to be in a straight line when joining the boards. V-cuts can be represented by 2D lines on all layers.

PCB jigsaw method-stamp hole

For irregular PCB boards, such as round ones, V-cutting cannot be done. At this time, stamp holes are needed to connect the boards. Therefore, stamp holes are generally used in special-shaped boards. The edges of the two boards are connected by a small plate, and the connection between this small plate and the two plates has many small holes, so it is easy to break. After the break, the edge of the board is like the edge of a stamp, so this method of boarding is called a stamp hole.

PCB splicing method-hollow connecting strip

Hollow connecting strips are often used in boards with half-hole technology. They use very narrow plates for connection, which are similar to stamp holes. The difference is that the connecting part of the connecting strip is a bit narrower and there are no vias on both sides. There is a shortcoming of the hollow connecting strip's boarding method: after the board is broken, there will be a very obvious bump. The stamp holes also have bumps, which are not so obvious because they are separated by vias. Some people may think that it is not enough to use the stamp hole directly, so why use hollow connecting strips? This is because when a half-hole module is made on all sides, neither the stamp hole nor the V-cut can be used. They can only be connected at the four corners of the module by hollow connecting strips.

The above is the difference between the three PCB puzzle methods shared by the editor. If you don't understand, you can consult our customer service online. iPCB is a high-tech manufacturing enterprise focusing on the development and production of high-precision PCBs. iPCB is happy to be your business partner. Our business goal is to become the most professional prototyping PCB manufacturer in the world. Mainly focus on microwave high frequency PCB, high frequency mixed pressure, ultra-high multi-layer IC testing, from 1+ to 6+ HDI, Anylayer HDI, IC Substrate, IC test board, rigid flexible PCB, ordinary multi-layer FR4 PCB, etc. Products are widely used in industry 4.0, communications, industrial control, digital, power, computers, automobiles, medical, aerospace, instrumentation, Internet of Things and other fields.